Signed in September 2001 in what was one of Kevin Keegans greatest signings Ali Benarbia's name was entered onto Manchester City's books. Even though he was 33 and an unknown quantity at the time he still had enough to persuade Keegan to offer him a contract, on a free no less.
At the time, City had just slipped back into Division One and had removed Joe Royle at the helm and replaced him with Keegan. Ali managed to bag eight goals in thirty eight appearences to instantly return City to the top flight. This status they have kept ever since.
The next season, in the Premiership, Ali only scored only three goals as City finished 9th and Ali moved on to Al Rayyan. Although Benarbia wasn't at City for too long he left Blue fans with many memories. Like Berkovic and Kinkladze before them it wasn't long before Benarbia had been fully welcomed as a City star.
Today he celebrates his forty third birthday, thanks for the memories and have a happy birthday Mr Benarbia.
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